Tape dispenser



Nov. 7, 1950 DE JOHNSON 2,528,958

TAPE DISPENSER Filed July 5, 1945 IN V EN TOR. (/A M55 051 (/OHNSO/V ATTORNfX Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

Claims.

. This invention relates to tape dispensers and particularly to means for dispensing adhesive tapes.

Difliculties are experienced in the dispensing of friction tape, surgical adhesive tape, and the like and these difficulties are even more pronounced in the case of adhesive cellulosetape such as are variously known as pressure sealing adhesive cellulose tape, pressure sensitive cellulose tape, scotch tape, etc. Such tapes are exceedingly convenient for use but the separation thereof from a roll has always been fraught with diificulty and has been a source of inconvenience, annoyance and waste as well as a major limitation upon the wider use of this type of tape.

With the foregoing and other considerations in view, the present invention contemplates the provision of a type dispenser whereby adhesive tape may be both readily separated from a roll and readily torn off after being separated. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a dispenser which is movable relatively to the roll or the like, and preferably one which, while it remains on the roll during use, is adapted to be drawn along it as the tape is drawn off. Further in accordance with the invention the dispenser is so constructed that the tape end remaining connected with the roll may lie adherently against the dispenser but may be readily removed therefrom for the withdrawal of an additional amount from the roll. In certain of its more specific aspects the invention provides guide means in the form of an opening through which the tape may be withdrawn and while being withdrawn may move the dispenser along the roll; separation means such as a cutting edge; and connector means so recessed that a new piece of tape may be readily removed from the dispenser.

Dispensers embodying the invention may be constructed of a wide variety of materials and may be formed in a variety of ways. While they may be molded in situ, they are preferably so formed that they may if desired be attached to successive rolls, stamped metallic sheets being particularly desirable for such use.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of dispenser embodying the invention, in which the same is shown mounted on a roll of tape from which a portion of the tape has already been torn by the use of the dispenser;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a new portion of tape being withdrawn;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the latter portion of the tape being torn off;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a blank adapted to be bent into the shape shown in Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a blank of an alterna tive form of dispenser;

Figs. 6 and '7 show a modified type of construction in a blank form and a roll-encircling form respectively, and illustrate one type of fastening means; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a form of dispenser having an alternative form of fastening means.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through l, dispenser 5 provides at its rear end guide means which in the present instance comprises inwardly extending tabs 6 and 1 with an interstice 8 therebetween. At the forward end of the dispenser is a cutting means which in the present instance is in the form of a serrated cutting edge 9 with upwardly extending teeth It). The guide means and cutting means are connected by bridge means I l and inthe present instance also by sidemembers l2 and I3. Forwardly of the guide means is an opening l4 through which the tape-end l5 (Fig. 2) may extend; and the bridge means is recessed-on both sides in the present instance at l6 and l|to permit the ready gripping of a piece of tape l8 (Fig. 1) lying thereon. Tabs I9 and 20 are adapted to extend inwardly under the interior of a roll of tape to hold the dispenser in place.

As will be seen from Fig. 1, when it is desired to withdraw and cut a new portion of tape, the

portion I8 of the tape, which will be lying with its adherent side against the bridge H, may be gripped by the fingers at the recess It (or the recess ll if desired) and may be drawn upwardly and rearwardly. A quick strong movement is preferable in most instances. By this movement, the tape is separated from the dispenser and extends upwardly and rearwardly, with its rear, non-adherent,surface bearing against the tabs 6 and 1 so that it draws the dispenser rearwardly as it is drawn off the roll. When sufficient tape has been withdrawn, the withdrawn portion is moved forwardly and downwardly to lie over the bridge member and to contact the teeth I!) whereupon it can be readily torn off by continuing the downward and forward pull as indicated in Fig. 3. The slit or opening 8 running from the rear to the opening l4 permits the tape of a new roll or tape which for any other reason does not extend thru the opening, to be readily slipped into the opening.

The tabs [9 and 20 are, in accordance with the invention in certain of its aspects, so formed as to be'bendable, enabling them to be bent back when the tape of a roll is exhausted, to permit the reuse of the dispenser on a new roll.

As above indicated, the dispenser is desirably formed of sheet metal in the form of a fiat blank, as illustrated in Fig. 4;, but may be formed of any suitable material and may be molded or otherwise formed as desired. If desired, there may be formed on one or both sides of the dispenser, calibrations 2| designed to show how much of the roll has been used.

The forward portion of the opening [4 is V- shaped in the forms of construction shown in Figs. 1 through 4, 6, '7 and 8, so as to provide a maximum clearance for the sticky side of the tape, but the edge of the opening may be straight and the bridge straight sided as exemplified by the opening Mb and the bridge llb in Fig. 5, wherein the generally similar parts are designated by similar. reference numerals distinguished by the subscript b. Bridges of various other shapes may of course be utilized so long as,

of Fig. 5 and that of Figs. 1-4 is that the interstice 8b is wider than'the interstice 8.

If desired, fastening means for the securing tabs such as the tabs l9 and may be provided. One such form is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 which exemplify a blank and a dispenser similar to those of Figs. 4 and 1-3 respectively, except that the tabs I90 and 200 are extended and the tab 200 formed with the bendable lug adapted to be inserted through an opening 26 in the tab 190 and to bebe'nt over to securely hold the dispenser in place.

A particularly desirable form of securing means is shown in Fig. 8, and comprises bent over portions 30 and 3| on tabs I912 and 20d respectively. These portions hook into each other as shown, and are adapted to be snapped together or unsnapped by suitable pressure on the sides IM and l3d.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and diiferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter containedin'the above description orshown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A tape dispenser formed with an opening 4 through which tape can be passed to be drawn rearwardly, and with a rearwardly extending interstice for the insertion of the tape into said opening.

5 2. A tape dispenser formed with an opening through which tape can be passed to be drawn rearwardly, with a rearwardly extending interstice for the insertion of the tape into said opening and bridging means at least a portion whereof piece of tape lying thereon to be gripped.

3. A tape dispenser formed with an opening through which tape can be passed to be drawn rearwardly, with a rearwardly extending interstice for the insertion of the tape into said opening, and with means adapted to extend laterally of a roll of tape and at least part way into the central opening thereof.

4. A tape dispenser formed with an opening through which tape can be passed to be drawn rearwardly, with a rearwardly extending interstice for the insertion of the tape intosaid opening, and with means adapted to extend laterally of a roll of tape and at least part way into the central opening thereof, means against which an inner surface of the tape may be laid after a desired amount has been withdrawn, and a recess extending laterally into the last mentioned means and downwardly into the laterally extending means to permit a piece of tape lying on the former to be gripped for removal therefrom.

5. A tape dispenser formed with an opening through which tape can be'passed to be drawn rearwardly, with a rearwardly extending interstice for the insertion of the tape into said opening, bridging means at least a portion whereof is of less width than said opening, and downwardly extending side members at least one of which extends downwardly from a point disposed.

JAMES DE LOSS JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,166,352 Bauer Dec. 28, 1915 2,295,477 Jackson Sept. 8, 1942 2,401,286 Wright May 28, 1946 is of less width than said opening to permit a 

